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{
    "id": 1161525,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1161525/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 121,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13188,
        "legal_name": "Getrude Musuruve Inimah",
        "slug": "getrude-musuruve-inimah"
    },
    "content": "In the proposition of this Bill, the national Government is supposed to look for mechanisms of raising revenue. However, if there is any shortfall, then it should not be borne by county governments. This is a plus because it will ensure that the national Government is really looking for ways and means of ensuring that there is money that will eventually go to counties. This is because when it comes to real service delivery to wananchi, it is actually in the money that goes to county governments. Madam Temporary Speaker, I commend the author of this Bill because in the past years, the country has really been hit hard by COVID-19 Pandemic. So, even raising Kshs370 billion to go counties will be no mean effort. With the impact of COVID-19, it is s expected that there is no money and only a little money will be in circulation to go the counties. However, Kshs370 billion is well-meaning especially with the parameters that have been put into consideration. The parameters in Article 203 of the Constitution come in handy, when it comes to, for example, issues of national interest like school fees. Education is core and no country can fail to invest a substantial amount of money in education. Article 203(d) of the Constitution comes out clearly, that the parameters of the functions of county governments need to be factored in. Additionally, the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution gives about 14 functions of county governments. That means that county governments must have money in order to function independently as stipulated by the Constitution. One example of functions of county governments is Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE). The Committee on Education has been going round the counties looking at the status of ECDE centres. In some counties, the status is really pathetic. So, allocation of money to counties especially to education is important in order to ensure that ECDE and technical colleges are functioning in the counties is very important. ECDE centres are in pathetic situation in some counties. Some of them do not have ablution blocks or water. Water is important. Article 43 is very clear that clean water must be availed to everyone. Clean water should reach everyone. With ample amount of monies, counties can look for ways of harvesting water. Very soon, we will have a lot of rain. Much of the rain water will be wasted because most counties do not prepare in advance on how to make use of this natural resource, so that it can be used later on. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is in good breath for this money to go in equal measure from the national Government to the county governments equitably. That way, county governments will be able to do what they need to do. I also want to state that constitutionally, counties too have a leeway to look for ways of raising money. If they raise their own money, then it will help to pay salaries and the debt of the counties will reduce. May I also comment on a proposed low cost housing development that I have seen coming up in Kakamega County. I commend the Kakamega County Government under the leadership Hon. Oparanya. The County Government has allocated free land to"
}